Deputies Find 3-Year-Old Locked Inside Bug-Filled Cage, 2-Year-Old With Meth Pipe; Parents Arrested

Deputies who executed a search at a residence in Ohio discovered a 3-year-old child locked inside a bug-filled cage and a 2-year-old carrying a meth pipe. The parents of the children who fled the residence abandoning them while the police executed the search were arrested Monday, reports said.

The investigators responded to a home in Hocking County in connection with a sexual assault investigation Sunday after a woman complained that she was robbed and sexually assaulted by Franklin Varney, 38, and Megan Smith, 25, as reported by Dayton 247.

When the deputies arrived at the couple's residence, they saw a 2-year-old child walking around the home holding the meth pipe. During the search, they also found a 3-year-old child, who was kept in a filthy cage locked using zip ties. The "bedding" inside the cage was soiled and the child was left with a cup of expired milk, the police said.

"The parents of the infants left the children and fled the residence due to their involvement with the sexual assault investigation," Hocking County Sheriff's office said in a news release Monday.

The suspects were arrested after a brief chase from woods near their house Monday. They were taken into custody on charges of felony endangering children and may face additional charges, reports said.

The investigators also arrested the children's grandmother, 61-year-old Ella Webb, who had custody of the kids on charges of endangering children. She was transported to the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office Jail to await her arraignment.

"The grandmother was entrusted with the custody of the children because Mr. Varney couldn't take care of himself. They all proved in that house last night that nobody is able to take care of those children the way they should be taken care of. The kids are the true victims out of this," Chief Deputy Caleb Moritz said.

Meanwhile, the children were placed in foster care.

Smith was wanted after she failed to appear in court in Athens County on charges of possession of heroin and tampering with evidence. Varney had a previous warrant for domestic violence, according to court records.

"Being locked up isn't justice enough for them," Sheriff Lanny North said, adding that he has never witnessed anything like it before.